11 Atlanta educators convicted in cheating scandal

Former Deerwood Academy Assistant Principal Tabeeka Jordan, left, and her defense attorney Akil Secret listen as Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter gives the jury the charge in the Atlanta Public Schools test-cheating trial in Fulton County Superior Court on Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Atlanta. On Wednesday, April 1, 2015, Jordan and 10 other former educators were found guilty of racketeering. Only one of the former educators was acquitted of racketeering charges.(Photo: Kent D. Johnson, AP)

ATLANTA — Eleven of 12 former Atlanta Public Schools educators who were accused of participating in a test cheating scandal were convicted of racketeering charges Wednesday.

A grand jury indicted 35 educators in March 2013 on a 65-count indictment that alleged a conspiracy to cover up poor performance by Atlanta public school students on statewide standardized tests. Charges included conspiracy, racketeering, theft by taking, influencing witnesses and making false statements.

Many reached plea agreements with prosecutors — receiving probation, fines and community service. Only one of the 12 former educators on trial was acquitted of the racketeering charge; verdicts on the theft and false statements charges were mixed.

The educators said they faced pressure from supervisors — including former superintendent Beverly Hall — to inflate students' scores to show gains in student achievement.

The jurors deliberated for nearly eight days after listening to more than six months of testimony.

"This has been a long, long, long journey," Judge Jerry Baxter said shortly before the verdict was read. "I know everyone here probably has emotions they can't describe. I know I do. But I want to tell you — I've been down here 42 years ... and I've never seen a jury that was more diligent.

"Whatever your verdict is, I'll defend it until I die," Baxter added.

Hall, who was mentioned repeatedly in testimony, died last month after battling breast cancer. She was originally scheduled to be tried with the others, but Baxter granted Hall a later trial because of her illness.

After the verdict was read, Baxter ordered the convicted defendants to be taken into custody immediately.

"The compelling reason is that they have just been convicted," Baxter said. "They have been convicted and that's enough for me. I have sat here for six months and listened to this whole thing."

After the verdicts were read, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed issued the following statement:

The (Atlanta Public Schools) cheating scandal marked one of the darkest periods in the life of our city. I am hopeful that with the jury's verdict today, we can finally close this chapter and move forward with the education and development of our young people. I want to thank Judge Baxter and the Court for their service.

The scandal dates back to 2008 when a dozen schools posted high gains over the previous year's standardized tests. In 2009, a state investigation found "overwhelming" evidence of cheating at several schools. Hall denied the accusations.

In 2010, a bipartisan blue ribbon commission found "severe to moderate levels of cheating" at dozens of Atlanta elementary schools. An investigation by the governor's office in 2011 uncovered widespread problems on state exams that were used to determine whether schools met the federal No Child Left Behind law, with ties to extra funding.

A state investigation released in 2011 found cheating on standardized tests by nearly 180 educators in 44 Atlanta schools. Investigators said teachers gave answers to students or changed answers on tests after they were turned in. Investigators said those who tried to report the cheating faced retaliation, creating a culture of fear and intimidation among employees in the district.